Most Influential Rock Groups

Summerkat2002
The 10 most influential rock groups of the rock era.

The Top Ten

1The BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were soon known as the foremost and most influential act of rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented ...read more.

Besides being by far the top selling musical act in history, The Beatles are also the most important musical artists of the past 200 years.Other artists changed music, but The Beatles changed the world as a whole.Before The Beatles, the world was about old people; after The Beatles, the world was about young people.

they are the most influential band for many reasons - they were the most innovative songwriters,they changed the industry and there is so many cover bands out there.There's no band that influenced as many as todays bands than any other band. - idolangelx13

Well all of the bands on here were influenced by the Beatles, but beyond that the Beatles influenced my life and are probably one of the greatest with over 20 #1 hit singles and all of their other songs were above average

2Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums). The band's heavy, guitar-driven sound, rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums, has earned them recognition ...read more.

Two bands are head & shoulders above everybody. Along with being revered as the most influential bands most people still maintain that Rock music reached its pinnacle in either or both of these titans. LED ZEPPELIN & THE BEATLES. I consider Led Zeppelin to be the superior outfit & the zenith of rock music. Nobody before or since has equaled their eerie mystique or commanded their level of power. Though every detail of Zeppelin's superficial qualities were (& are) endlessly studied, copied, emulated etc., there's ultimately only one reason that they are still so revered, because all the other elements will fade with the passage of time, and that is the music! Simply the music. They delivered the goods. A few more decades will pass & the unique magic & mystique will never again be truly understood...the people who experienced it will be gone & all will be reduced to subjective interpretation. They call that history & beyond cold unchanging facts & figures most of what actually existed & ...more

I guess not enough people have voted on this list yet because these results (#2 through #5) are utterly silly. THERE ARE TWO BANDS THAT REMAIN HEAD AND SHOULDER ABOVE ALL THE REST IN TERMS OF INFLUENCE, THEY ARE Led Zeppelin & THE Beatles. IT'S ALSO NO COINCIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE FOR DECADES CONSISTENTLY RANKED AS THE TWO GREATEST BANDS IN ROCK HISTORY. (Bon Jovi? Are you kidding me? Looks like some former 12-year old fangirls have been busy on this list.

Sabbath, zeppelin, & the Beatles are definitely the most influential bands. the Beatles were the ones that created the kind of guitar bands we hear today, zeppelin inspired millions with their INCREDIBLE different song styles, and sabbath was the first metal band. - 678rob754

Voted. Because I hate to break it to you, but the Beatles aren't rock…

3Bon JoviBon Jovi is a hard rock band formed in 1983, which had a streak of successful albums in the late 1980s. The band originally consisted of lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Ritchie Sambora (left in 2013), bassist Alec John Such (left in 1994), keyboard David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres. The band's ...read more.

#2! Right behind The Beatles and ahead of The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd? What a joke. Bon Jovi is not the most influential at anything in rock music. Uninspired drivel.

Huge Jovi fan here, These Days is one of the best 2-3 albums ever recorded and Sambora is one of the most versatile players that America has ever produced, however, not even I would put Bon Jovi anywhere near the top 10. Maybe somewhere 15-20th but even there, only because Slippery When Wet really opened a lot of doors for hard and heavy music and changed people's perspective (especially people who were outside the genre). So many metalheads I know are into rock/metal because of a Bon Jovi song they heard or because their parents were playing Jovi in their youth... that has to count for something. Direct influence on other bands though...rather limited.

4AC/DCAC/DC are a Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014. They were fronted by Bon Scott until his untimely death due to alcohol poisoning in 1980, after which they hired Brian Johnson to ...read more.

riffs and the best and lyrics speak for me to along with cannons and bagpipes and thunder and to the band that saluted me and taught me that there is no place worse then nowhere

5Black SabbathBlack Sabbath were a Heavy Metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, Singer Ozzy Osbourne, Bassist and Main Lyricist Geezer Butler and Drummer Bill Ward. The band got into mainstream after improving after their debut album got negative feedback. In 1978, ...read more.

Bon Jovi #1?!?! Anyone who has any real knowledge of rock (sorry teeny-boppers) knows that two bands made the most impact: Black Sabbath and Zeppelin. - asphaltpilot

what is this bon jovi! Sabbath invented a whole new type of music where are they on the list

black sabbath invented metal! and you guys are telling me that judas priest is more influential than black sabbath, - metfan001

6NirvanaNirvana was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band. ...read more.

Nirvana changed it all, and they didn't care. They grew up from nothing but divorced families and being picked on in school. Kurt Cobain AKA the Riff Master became the voice of the voiceless, the grunge city saint. Also giving a middle finger to glam rock

I remember hearing teen spirit for the first time, at that moment I knew glam rock was over, and guns and roses would lose title of biggest band on the planet.

Nirvana brought a previously unknown genre, I.E. grunge into the mainstream; and they rocked.They were truly the "Beatles" of the 90s - yeah, yeah, yeah!

7QueenQueen are an English rock band formed in 1970. Members were Freddie Mercury (Vocals and Piano), Brian May (Guitar, Vocals), Roger Taylor (Drums, Vocals), and John Deacon (Bass Guitar, Vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury ...read more.

Best Rock and Roll band out there. Queen should be in top 3; they're one of the most covered bands out there, and they have influenced many of the musicians from the world today!

The lead singer was gay, and yet they're still one of the best bands there is

8MetallicaMetallica is an American Thrash Metal band formed in 1981 . The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman". ...read more.

Not even worthy to be on this list. If it wasn't for Dave Mustaine developing their sound on their first 2 albums (check the wiki on ride the lightning if you don't believe me on their 2nd), no one would have even heard of these hacks. This isn't about a popularity contest, it is about the most influential; which these guys are not. Exodus even deserves more credit.

Easily the #1 most influential band in metal and a wide reach outside of metal. The Beatles did more in rock, but everybody else is at most equal in influence.

Their live concerts are unbelievably awesome! Even better than recorded ones and that's amazing. And he really has the sound!

9The Allman Brothers BandThe Allman Brothers Band was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman, as well as Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson.

10The RamonesThe Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first band to define the punk rock sound.

The Ramones should be at least in the top five. They made "punk" clothes (such as leather jackets, ripped jeans, etc.) popular and released the first pure punk rock album. The Ramones and the Beatles are the reasons why simple and vigorous rock songs are so popular. If only they weren't so horribly underrated.

2263 shows, a career spanning through the 70's to the noughties, the ramones invented punk with funny and geniusly simple songs, inspiring bands of the future. good reason for being in the rock and roll hall of fame.

The Ramones inspired bands like the Clash who are in the top ten to play. They are the most influential punk band for no doubt, by the way they are in the Rock 'n' Roll hall of fame not many bands in this list are. - jungle551

The Ramones changed the face of rock and roll forever. They are easily the #2 or #3 on this list

The Contenders

11Deep PurpleDeep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, ...read more.

The greatest pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal should be in the TOP 3! - Metal_Treasure

12Pink FloydPink Floyd were an English progressive rock band formed in London. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitarist), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters (Vocals and Bass), ...read more.

Bearing in mind this is a list of the most influential rock groups, not necessarily the best, it's pretty shocking that Pink Floyd isn't in the top 5 at least, let alone the top 10. Not only did they lay the ground work for an enormous portion of all music to follow, but they dared to go places that most others wouldn't, and do things that people wouldn't try, and music benefitted greatly, as a result. They took their music to a level that transcended what we consider as 'music', and as a result of this, cemented their position in the history books as one of the forefathers of, not only modern rock, but modern music in general. Maybe they're not one of the best rock groups, personally I believe they are, but they sure as hell are one of the most influential. The idea that some people actually think Green Day are more influential than Pink Floyd is a truly demoralising thought.

When I was a kid. I grew up listening to the Beatles, the doors, the band, the clash, the Ramones, Black Sabbath and many big bands I have learned from my mother. I heard the band Pink Floyd but never really had the chance to listen and be influenced by their music when I was a teenager. Until I've watched "echoes" on YouTube. From that day onwards I was astonished, amazed how great this band is. Wouldn't be able to explain further how I praise them. Love them so much.

Pink Floyd is perhaps the band any musician should listen to and strive to make them as a bench mark. Pink Floyd popularized the methods of joining songs and as for David gilmour his guitar work is off another level. Pink floys have inspired numerous bands such as dream theater. Just listen to the wall or dark side of the moon to understand how timeless this music is ( I'm 17 )

13Green DayGreen Day are an American pop punk and alternative rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar) . Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some ...read more.

Green Day have been a main influence to most, if not all, of the mainstream bands for the past 20 years.

Why even't Green Day is in Top 10?

14The Jimi Hendrix ExperienceThe Jimi Hendrix Experience was an English-American rock band that formed in Westminster, London, in September 1966. Composed of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding, and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band was active until June 1969. During this time ...read more.

I don't think you people understand that this is a list about influential bands. That being said, why are Bon Jovi at number 2? Why are Journey at number 15?!?! So many of these bands on this list did nothing in terms of influence. After the 60's, if you identified as a rock musician and you did not cite Hendrix as an influence, then you were a fraud. Every person that plays the guitar today, acoustic or electric, was influenced by this man and this band.

They are second only to the Beatles when it comes to the influence of rock.

Really I think people don't understand this list because if there was no jimi MOST of the bands here would be non existant

15RushRush is a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. Even though the only founding member still in the band is Alex Lifeson (Guitar), the band is most well-known for their current members Neil Peart (Drums) and Geddy Lee (Bass, Vocals). ...read more.

with their mix of electronic sounds, a deep driving bass, and a really high pitched singer they blazed the way for alt-rock

I have heard many musicians, even from this list, who have stated that Rush was a huge influence on them.

Rush is the ultimate rock band only 3 guys compare to kid rock about 12 guys

16ScorpionsScorpions are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover by Rudolf Schenker. Since the band's inception, its musical style has ranged from hard rock to heavy metal.

There are a lot of artists which have been influenced by Scorpions!It's just impossible to not be influenced by them!Scorpions rocks!

Best rock ballads, for every ages and tastes and great hard songs for every rocker!

I could think of more than 100 artist inspired by Scorpions. Even Bon Jovi was inspired by Scorpions. And Nirvana? Really? How can anyone even for that garbage?

They will literally "Rock You Like a Hurricane"! Get it?

17Celtic FrostCeltic Frost was a Swiss extreme metal band from Zürich. They are known for their heavy influence on extreme metal genres.

18Beach BoysThe Beach Boys are an American pop rock band formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine.

The Beatles and The Beach Boys are #1 and #2. I listened to Pet Sounds off and on for three years before I heard it's magic sounds. There is not a better album.

The Beach Boys for Longevity, Vocal Styling, Originality blow every other group in the world out of the water. The are #1 without dispute.

The Beach Boys not being number one on this list discredits the list and makes it a joke. I mean seriously none of the other bands before them on here are worth a damn. I have a sense of humor like anyone but I don't get it. Summerkat called it, longevity, vocal styling #1 all the way!

Sounds, sounds and more sounds. Made harmony an art form - Summerkat2002

19Three Days GraceThree Days Grace is a Canadian rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario in 1997 with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. In 2013 Gontier left the band due to creative differences. He was replaced with Brad's ...read more.

An amazing band with a promising future in the world of rock.

20Judas PriestJudas Priest are a British heavy metal band that formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. They are often referred to as one of the greatest metal bands of all time, and are even commonly called “The Metal Gods”, after one of the songs on their 1980 album “British Steel”. ...read more.

21Guns N' Roses

to the solos that will keep me praticing

Rip Satan rip axel roads. Rip air

Why isn't this band higher up?

They changed the history! SWEET CHILD O' MINE is one of the most influential song oF all time. NOVEMBER RAIN has touched and inspired millions of people.

22MotörheadMotörhead were an English heavy metal/Hard Rock band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, who was the sole constant member; guitarist and songwriter Larry Wallis; and drummer Lucas Fox. The band's harsh vocals and fast paced tempos helped inspire speed ...read more.

Motorhead inspired Lars Ulrich, a founding member of Metallica as well as other groups such as Venom. No Motorhead - no Metallica. No Metallica, no thrash metal. No venom, no black/extreme metal. Motorhead should therefore be ranked ahead of both Metallica and Celtic Frost on this list...

23EvanescenceEvanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody.

Amongst a heavily male-dominated rock scene, Evanescence burst into the spotlight with a gorgeously dark and more melodic sound, and I love them for it. - phensh23

24Iron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The most critically acclaimed period for the band was from 1983-1989. With vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, lead guitarist Dave Murray, rhythm guitarist Adrian ...read more.

Not only did they influence, a lot of post modern and modern metal bands, they even influenced punk, grunge and a lot of other stuff, by still have been more complete musicians than some of the bands that followed. Number 28 right now, for Iron Maiden is a joke, they had far more influence, than some of you may know...

Pretty much every band I listen to today has some influence form iron maiden. Avenged Sevenfold, disturbed, slipknot, and even Metallica. If that is not enough influence to at least raise it to the top ten I don't know what will

34th? That's bollocks! They formed heavy metal to what it is today. Easily in the top three.

25Black FlagBlack Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. Initially called Panic, the band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band. They are widely considered to be one of ...read more.

26JourneyJourney is an American rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1973, composed of former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch.

Surely Journey with Lights et al should rank above Rush

27Red Hot Chili PeppersThe Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983. ...read more.

this is a joke, beach boys ahead of the chilis, the chilis changed music when cobain died thank god they did or rock would be even worse then it is today.

Going strong for 30 years now. Their style of music can't be matched by most other bands.

Bridged the worlds of funk, punk and rock. Not many other bands can compare. Great Job!

An Incredible band, so influencial

28The WhoThe Who is an English rock band formed in London, England in 1964 . The members are Roger Daltrey (lead singer), Pete Townshend (guitarist), John Entwistle (bassist), and Keith Moon (drums). They are best known for their live performances and hit songs Baba O'Riley, My Generation, and Won't Get Fooled ...read more.

How is the Who not in the top 10? The fact that Journey, KISS Queen, and the Scorpians are in front of them if laughable. I understand this is all subjective but really?

Half the bands that came after these guys copied some element of them and countless guitarists credit Townshend as why they play guitar. These guys were the first great "live" band. Moon was arguably the best drummer ever, Entwistle was the real bass player, and Townshend is a great innovator (key boards on "Baba O'Reilly", "Won't Get Fooled Again"; he essentially invented the rock opera, "My Generation" was what Punk Rock was all about). Daltry is one of the better front men as well.

They were the first to wreck their instruments. First to invent the rock opera. First to use lasers. Invented the marshle stack... Invented the power cord... Made the first rock movie(TOMMY). Showed us what punk, heavy metal, and rock was all about ( visually). First to unbent the synthesizer. Even the Beatles wish they had what the who had. Zeppelin based themselves on the who. No one knows the facts. All you guys care about is your own opinions.

29AerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "the Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band".

38? Aerosmith is one of the most influential bands ever!

Starting with, every band of the 80's are less great hair rock version of Aerosmith, with that said, Aerosmith should be ahead Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses, Nirvana and everyone else! top 15 at least

inspired so many groups. It's Slash's favorite group... Joe Perry is the reason he picked up a guitar

RADIO HITS AND MUSIC UNBEATABLE IN YOUR GENERE

30Five Finger Death PunchFive Finger Death Punch is an American alternative metal/ alternative rock band formed in, Las Vegas Nevada. The band's came originated from a fictional movie called Kill Bill.

31KissKiss is an American hard rock band formed in New York City in January 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and the band's original manager, Lew Linet.

New Look and beginning of the extravagant shows - Summerkat2002

They should TOTALLY I MEAN TOTALLY be in the top 10 at least. They have awesome concerts and makeup and outfits. I saw them in concert onece and I'm only 7 years old. There for they should TOTALLY be number 1! - sparkle

For a band that ruled a whole dacade and influenced millions of fans and not without saying being one of the founding fathers of heavy metal! I think kiss should be #1

32The Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet Underground was an American rock band, active between 1964 and 1973, formed in New York City.

They are the first alternative rock band of the history and the weirdest bands ever, they are one of the first bands on the proto-punk scene, produced by the genius of andy warhol, they're an explosive combination, and the result is the Most influencial band on the underground rock

Without them, more than half of these bands on this list would not exist!

They influenced more bands than the Beatles, technically.

This is the most influental band of all time, you can disagree all you want, but they shaped up punk rock the most, predicted the way for industrial, experimental rock and avant garde rock, and influenced greatly glam rock and art rock.

I have no idea why they are so low on this list. At the very least they should be in the top five. I personally would put them at number 2 right behind the Beatles if for no other reason that they are all geriatric and yet still around and still tour.

you have the lyrics that made common saying like you can't always get what you want and the music is calm and crazy

This is a disgrace. The Rolling stones at 39? What? They deserve to be much higher, given as how they influenced many great groups

Kids don't know how revolutionary the rolling stones were, should be top 3

35ExodusExodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of 37 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members.

36PixiesThe Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The group disbanded in 1993 in acrimonious circumstances, but reunited in 2004. The group currently consists of founders Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering.

The Pixies have influenced a large range of artists, Thom Yorke has said that the Pixies changed his life. The pixies have completely influenced nirvana sound and without the Pixies nirvana would not have made any music as good as they have, Kurt said he was trying to write a song that could pass off as a Pixies song when he wrote Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Pixies should be so much higher considering Kurt Cobain said that he was just trying to rip off the Pixies with Smells Like Teen Spirit. The Pixies started the loud-quiet-loud trend you hear all the time from Weezer, Nirvana, etc.

Without Pixies there would be noNirvanaRadioheadSmashing PumpkinsNeutral Milk HotelArcade FireAnd basically every indie artist post-1990

On a side note, the fact people consider Bon Jovi, who has done nothing but create repetitive radio rock for his entire career, influential is pretty damn disgraceful.

They are the band who create an alternative movement, without them, there are no Radiohead and Nirvana.

HOW has this band not gotten higher on the list. Transitioned from Grunge and Britopop to experimental electronic, they changed the face of alt-rock.

39Clash

Made the transition from punk to rock and new wave - Summerkat2002

40NeurosisNeurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music.

4130 Seconds To MarsThirty Seconds to Mars (commonly stylized as 30 Seconds to Mars) is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1998. The band consists of Jared Leto, Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević.V 1 Comment

42Blink-182Blink-182 are a Pop Punk band formed in 1992. Original lineup were Mark Hoppus (Bass Guitar, Vocals) ...read more.

were one of the pioneers of an entire genre of music (pop-punk) and one of the most influential bands of the 1990's and early 2000's... and certainly one of the most popular

Blink-182 inspired so many new-age rock bands and even some electronic music producers. They even inspired Machine Gun Kelly! (he's a rapper)

Go on Google search and type "bands inspired by". "bands inspired by blink-182" comes up first. That pretty much shows that they should be in the top 10! Come on now people.

O m g YOU SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED FOR EVEN MENTIONING THEMON ANY LIST.

43Alice in ChainsAlice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley.

In my opinion Alice in Chains was one of the most influential bands of their era. The music was honest and passionate. They are still gaining fans today. Their music is timeless.

So influential that Korn can take their sound, add rapping and electronics and create a new genre of rock.

The REAL influence of the 90's

Listen to heavy rock bands today and its easy to see just how lasting their infuence truly is. Jerry's guitar style especially helped keep rock heavy and palm muted through the 90's and influenced the 2000s greatly. They've long outlasted Nirvana in my option.

44Mötley CrüeMötley Crüe was an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars.

45Def LeppardDef Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.

46U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music. Throughout the group's musical pursuits, they have ...read more.

And the fact that they influenced many rock bands from the 90s onward. And when some new indie rock bands say "we want to be like U2," you know that's saying something.

Very unique sound... And every Christian band guitarist on the planet now sounds like the edge!... That's got to be worth a boost on this chart...

Bands like Coldplay, Imagine Dragons and The Script not even be a thing without U2 they are the most influential band of the 80s they are the most influential live band they have re-shaped touring with ZooTV Tour and also albums like The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby leaved mark on alternative rock and rock in general I think they should be 6th behind The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and The Who

47Nine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock/metal band and, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio.

48R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by lead singer Michael Stipe, lead guitarist Peter Buck, bassist/backing vocalist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.

49Van HalenVan Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.

While I was never a giant Van Halen fan, they need to be much higher on this list. Eddie changed how the guitar was played for millions of guitar players and this guitar sound and techique is a massive influence on every musical decade since they started... I'm still mad about how they influenced glam rock though... Laugh out loud.

I bet you that without Van Halen, most of the bands on this list wouldn't exist.